Arkansas Children's Hospital

Dr. David Becton is Professor and Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, at Arkansas Children's Hospital. He has been with the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Arkansas Children's Hospital since 1985. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. He received his degree from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1979. He served his internship in Pediatrics at University Hospital and Arkansas Children's Hospital from 1979 until 1982. He served as Chief Resident in 1982. He completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina from 1982 until 1985. Dr. Becton is also the Medical Director of the Hemophilia Center of Arkansas; the Outpatient Medical Director for Arkansas Children's Hospital; and Medical Director for the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Dr. Becton is a member of the Pediatric Oncology Group, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Hemophilia Foundation

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Anna Katherine had her first heart surgery when she was just 1 day old. After her first surgery, a "kink" was discovered in her intestines, so another surgery was necessary to repair her small intestine. During that same surgery, doctors also removed her appendix because it was located on the left side of her body near her heart, and if she ever had appendicitis, it wouldn't have been diagnosed in a timely manner. She finally went home for the first time one month after she was born. Seven months later, Anna Katherine had her second heart surgery at ACH. In early 2007, she was back in the hospital with pancreatitis, an affliction that baffled doctors because the disease usually does not affect children. She overcame the pancreatitis and returned to her normal life.

Carson was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a chromosomal disorder that is usually fatal. Amy and Keith were told Carson probably would not live a year. After spending six weeks at ACH, Carson was sent home. Although he had some breathing difficulty and was hospitalized for a short period, the next couple of months went well for the Bayird family. Then one day Amy found a strange spot on the side of Carson's stomach. His local doctor sent him to ACH for further tests. The tests revealed that Carson had liver cancer, which the doctors began treating immediately. In between chemotherapy and regular blood work, he underwent surgery to repair his lip, palate and hernia, as well as removal of his tonsils and adnoids. In November 2001, Carson was deemed cancer free. He has remained that way for five years. Today, Carson loves tractors, playing with his brother, listening to country music and singing very loudly. Due to the Trisomy 18, Carson will face ongoing health problems and developmental delays. But his mother says he won't let that hold him back.

Cole and his mom, Melissa, were visiting his grandparents when he got very sick to his stomach. Bruises began appearing all over Cole's body and Melissa decided to consult a family doctor in the area. The doctor took a blood sample and immediately sent Cole and his family to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Once at ACH, Cole had a diagnosis of cancer within a few hours. It then took a number of tests before a clear diagnosis of the type of cancer was made. Cole had acute lymphocytic leukemia and 98 percent of his bone marrow was compacted with cancer cells. Cole began chemotherapy immediately, but it would take another six weeks to determine if his body would respond favorably to the drugs.

Diane Bussard, R.N. is a Vascular Lesion Specialty nurse at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Diane received her BSN degree at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. She has been employed by Arkansas Children's Hospital since June of 1987 in various positions. She had held her current position since August 1993 and also holds the position of Laser Safety Officer.

Elton is on the faculty of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and serves as a family physician at Arkansas Children's Hospital. He also is a founding director of HCDP and has served as a deacon at the Pleasant Valley church of Christ.

Dr. Nesmith graduated from the University of Mississippi with a biology degree. He attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and did his residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital. After residency , he completed an Adolescent Medicine fellowship and received a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is currently a pediatrician and sports medicine physician for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Jimmy Parks, R.N. - Mr. Parks is outreach coordinator of the Burn Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital, which treats more than 200 severely burned children and adults from around the state each year.

Keely was diagnosed with tracheo esophageal fistula/esophageal atresia, a condition in which her esophagus connected to her trachea instead of to itself. She spent a month in the neonatal intensive care unit at ACH before going home for the first time. She was back in the hospital a few more times that year for outpatient surgeries to repair her esophagus. Though the surgeries improved Keely's condition, she still suffers from tracheomalacia, or a "floppy" trachea. Because of this, even a common cold can often result in pneumonia. Keely has had many different health issues, including recurring bouts of pneumonia, sleep apnea, ear infections, a collapsed lung and bronchitis. According to Cindy, Keely's mother, the best part about ACH is the respect given to the families.

Randy Bindra, MD is Professor of Orthopaedic Hand Surgery and the Director of the Center for Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at UAMS. Dr. Bindra specializes in upper limb surgery and treats all disorders of the hand, wrist and elbow - including carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain disorders, and all fractures and tendon injuries. He performs many procedures including joint replacement, arthroscopy, complex reconstruction after trauma, microsurgery for nerve repair and major hand reconstruction. At the Arkansas Children's Hospital, Dr. Bindra performs reconstructive surgery to restore upper limb function after birth defects, paralysis or cerebral palsy. Dr. Bindra is referred complex upper extremity problems from all over Arkansas and neighboring States. Dr. Bindra is fellowship trained in Hand Surgery in England and has also served a fellowship in Hand Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis. Most recently he was a consultant hand surgeon at the reputed Pulvertaft Hand Center in Derby, England. Along with his research activities, Dr. Bindra teaches Orthopaedic residents and medical students and is a recipient of the Walter Selakovich award for outstanding contribution to resident education. He also directs the Hand Fellowship program - a one year advanced and intensive training program that allows the Fellow to become an accredited hand surgeon. Dr. Bindra lectures internationally on various topics and has played an active role in training surgeons in hand and wrist fracture management. He has written several book chapters, articles and instruction manuals. Dr Bindra has served as President of the Arkansas Hand Society and is an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and American Association of Hand Surgeons. Dr. Bindra has been named in the 2005 list of the "Best Doctors in America" (Best Doctors, Inc.).

Ryan had outpatient surgery at ACH a few months later to repair his inguinal hernia, but more health problems would soon arise. When Ryan was 3, Gina found a lump on his neck. Concerned that Ryan had cancer, she took him to his local pediatrician who sent him to ACH for further testing. The tests at ACH determined that the lump was an infected gland. Ryan's pediatrician removed his adenoids and tonsils, and the lump disappeared.

Sadie's first symptom was a sore and swollen finger. In April 1998, Sadie was referred to Arkansas Children's Hospital by her pediatrician. Once at ACH, she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic condition that causes joint inflammation, pain, swelling, redness and stiffness. The juvenile rheumatoid arthritis became active in 18 of Sadie's joints. Because of her pain, she also experienced fatigue and loss of appetite.

Shelby, now 11, has been cancer-free for two years. He loves to play soccer and basketball and is a stellar student. In fact, Shelby maintained As and Bs throughout his time at ACH. Shelby's medical experiences have helped him determine a future career helping children with cancer.

Shelby was born and raised in Little Rock, AR. After graduating from Hall High School in 1997, Shelby (also known as "Mark") began his collegiate studies at the University of Central Arkansas. In 2000, Shelby was accepted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he obtained an Associates of Science Degree in Surgical Technology. He continued his higher education studies at UAMS where he later obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Cardio-Respiratory Therapy in 2003. Shelby is currently employed at Arkansas Children's Hospital as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. He specializes in pediatric intensive care. Shelby attributes his success to his parents Mary Norfleet-Lee, Donnie Norfleet, and his sisters Sharee Camp and Tomika Norfleet.

Chuck Erwin received a bachelor of business administration in accounting with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979. He received an Elijah Watt Sells certificate for submitting papers of outstanding merit on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination in May of 1979. Before forming Erwin & Company in October 1984, he began his accounting career with the predecessor of the national accounting firm of Ernst & Young where he was involved in all aspects of federal income taxation and estate and gift taxation including serving as a resident in the firm's national tax practice in New York City. Throughout his career, he has provided tax planning, consultation, and compliance services to businesses ranging from small concerns to large multinational companies, as well as to individuals. He has also been actively involved in the Little Rock community, supporting institutions such as the Arkansas Arts Center and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. He has served on the board of Trustees of Arkansas Children's Hospital since 1990, serving as Chairman from 2003 to 2006.